Traffic Engineering (Graduate)

Course Description

TTE5255 — Traffic Engineering (Graduate) is a graduate-level (5xxx) college-credit course in Florida's M.S. Civil Engineering programs with transportation specialization. The "TTE" prefix denotes Transportation Engineering. The course covers traffic engineering theory and practice: traffic flow theory; capacity and level of service analysis (Highway Capacity Manual); signalized and unsignalized intersection design; freeway operations; traffic control devices (MUTCD); pedestrian and bicycle accommodation; current topics in connected/autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and traffic operations technology.

This course is offered at Florida State University System institutions with M.S./Ph.D. Civil Engineering programs and transportation specialization, including UF (top-ranked transportation program), USF, FIU, FAU, FAMU/FSU (joint engineering college).

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of TTE5255, students will be able to:

• Apply traffic flow theory: speed-density-flow relationships (Greenshields, Greenberg, Underwood); shock waves; queuing analysis (deterministic and stochastic).
• Apply capacity and level of service (LOS) analysis per the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM 7th Edition): freeway segments; weaving sections; ramps; signalized and unsignalized intersections; multimodal LOS.
• Apply signalized intersection design and analysis: signal timing (cycle length, splits, offsets, all-red); coordination; actuated and adaptive control; signal warrants per MUTCD.
• Apply unsignalized intersection analysis: stop-controlled intersections (TWSC, AWSC); roundabout analysis; gap acceptance theory.
• Apply freeway operations: ramp metering; managed lanes (HOV, HOT, express lanes); incident management; freeway service patrols; current Florida implementations (95 Express, FHP coordination).
• Apply traffic control devices per the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD): signs (regulatory, warning, guide); pavement markings; signals; work zone traffic control.
• Apply pedestrian and bicycle accommodation: complete streets concepts; pedestrian crossing analysis; bicycle facility design (separated, shared); ADA compliance; walkability and bikeability metrics.
• Describe principles of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV): V2X communications; AV operational design domains; current pilots; transportation planning implications.
• Apply traffic operations technology: ITS systems; ATMS; CCTV monitoring; dynamic message signs (DMS); RSU/OBU communications; data analytics for traffic operations.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Traffic Flow Fundamentals: Speed-density-flow relationships; macroscopic models (Greenshields, Greenberg, Underwood); microscopic models (car-following); kinematic wave theory; shock waves; capacity analysis.
• Highway Capacity Manual: HCM 7th Edition methodologies; freeway segments; weaving and merge/diverge; signalized intersections; unsignalized intersections; roundabouts; multimodal LOS.
• Queuing: Deterministic queuing (vertical queue diagrams); stochastic queuing (M/M/1, M/M/c); applications to signalized intersections.
• Signalized Intersections: Saturation flow; effective green; cycle length determination (Webster's formula); split allocation (proportional, equity); offsets and coordination; actuated control logic; adaptive systems (SCATS, SCOOT, ACS-Lite).
• Unsignalized Intersections: Two-way stop controlled (TWSC); all-way stop (AWSC); roundabouts (modern roundabout design and analysis); gap acceptance theory.
• Freeway Operations: Ramp metering algorithms; managed lanes (Florida 95 Express, I-4 Ultimate, I-595 express); HOV vs. HOT vs. all-purpose toll express; incident management; FHP and FDOT coordination.
• Traffic Control Devices: MUTCD organization and use; signs; pavement markings; traffic signals; emergency vehicle preemption; work zone traffic control (Part 6 of MUTCD).
• Active Transportation: Pedestrian level of service; pedestrian crossing analysis (HAWK, RRFB, midblock); bicycle facility types; complete streets policies; ADA accessibility requirements.
• CAV and ITS: Connected vehicle (V2X, V2I, V2V); autonomous vehicle SAE levels; current Florida CAV testing (THEA, SunTrax); ITS deployment; data analytics for operations.
• Florida-Specific Context: FDOT structure and operations; Florida's Turnpike; FDOT districts; SunPass/E-Pass; Florida 511; FHP/FDOT coordination; substantial recent ITS deployment.

Resources & Tools

• Transportation Research Board Highway Capacity Manual, 7th Edition
• FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD); FDOT FDOT Standards Plans
• Adolf May Traffic Flow Fundamentals; Roess, Prassas, McShane Traffic Engineering
• Software: VISSIM (PTV); Synchro; HCS (Highway Capacity Software); Sidra (roundabout analysis); CORSIM
• Industry resources: ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers); TRB (Transportation Research Board)

Career Pathways

TTE5255 supports advanced careers in transportation engineering:

• Traffic Engineer at FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation), MPOs, county DOTs, municipal traffic operations.
• Transportation Engineering Consultant at engineering consultancies (HDR, AECOM, Stantec, Jacobs, Atkins, regional firms).
• Traffic Operations Manager at transportation management centers.
• ITS Engineer for connected vehicle and intelligent transportation system deployment.
• Continuation toward Ph.D. in transportation engineering; Florida licensed Professional Engineer (PE) requires bachelor's degree, FE+PE exams, experience.

Special Information

Course Format

Typically 3 credits, 45 contact hours (lecture/seminar).

Graduate-Level Status

TTE5255 is graduate-level (5xxx) and is restricted to admitted M.S. or Ph.D. Civil Engineering students.

Florida Transportation Engineering Context

Florida's substantial transportation infrastructure, growing population, hurricane evacuation considerations, and CAV testing programs (THEA, SunTrax) create strong demand for transportation engineers. FDOT is one of the largest state transportation agencies in the U.S.